UH Manoa breaks ground on biomed expansion project

The UH Mānoa Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education (C-MORE) held a groundbreaking ceremony at 10:00 a.m. today for the expansion of its existing Biomedical Sciences building.

Among those in attendance were U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, and Dr. Lance Haworth, director of the National Science Foundation‘s (NSF‘s) Office of Integrative Activities in Washington D.C.

The new research facility, C-MORE Hale, will house modern instrumentation, support novel research programs, and provide a vehicle for education, outreach and knowledge exchange. The merger of the new land-based laboratory with world-class sea-going support vessels will help position UH Mānoa on the world map as a leader in oceanographic research.

"Participation in the design of a new research and education facility like C-MORE Hale is a once-in-a-scientific-lifetime opportunity," said C-MORE Director Dave Karl. "I am grateful to UH leadership for its support, and am certain that this bold investment will provide unique opportunities for many years. The future is today."

Added Chancellor Virginia S. Hinshaw, "C-MORE strengthens UH Mānoa as a world-class leader for marine research and educational center for students ranging from pre-college through post-doctorate training."

C-MORE is one of 17 NSF Centers of Science and Technology across the nation, and the only one in Hawaii. Its research is focused on examining the role that marine microbes play in sustaining planetary habitability.